Lavoris Martin, retired associate librarian and library media specialist with James Matthews Elementary School in Pine Bluff, received the Frances P. Neal Award from the Arkansas Library Association during an awards dinner at the association’s 102nd annual conference recently.
The Frances P. Neal Award is presented annually to a retired librarian to recognize a career of notable service in librarianship or within the state, according to a news release.
Martin is also a former library director of technical services for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff’s John Brown Watson Memorial Library.
She is recognized as a knowledgeable, innovative, technically skilled professional librarian with more than 25 years of progressively responsible experience in the academic library and public school environments, according to Shenise McGhee, UAPB librarian and professor, who presented the award.
While at UAPB, Martin wrote and managed a Title III grant increasing the library’s technology footprint by more than 100 computers, WiFi, laptops for checkout, and stationary and mobile digital video conferencing centers.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
“Currently, as a certified (K-12) library media specialist at the elementary level, she continues to promote information and teach 5th-6th (students) the research process from beginning to end,” McGhee said. “She continues to promote literacy through collaboration with subject content teachers and scheduling field trips for students to the Clinton Presidential Library culminating in essay and research projects.”
Martin’s educational accomplishments include a Master of Science degree in computer science and technology, a Master of Science degree in library science and a master’s degree in Learning System Technology in Education. She has served on the Journal of New Librarianship editorial board, American Library Association Conference Committee, ALA Information Technology Advisory Committee, ALA Council, ArLA Membership Committee and as ArLA Legislative Committee chair.
With more than 443 members, ArLA works to provide continuing education opportunities for library workers, serves as a source of current information about trends, issues and strategies for all types of libraries and advocates for libraries at the local, state and national levels.
For details on helping provide emergency assistance for libraries in Arkansas, visit https://bit.ly/arlibraryshirt.